COVID-19 Updates
As our communities address and manage the COVID-19 risk, please know that Joliet Area Community Hospice continues to provide hospice care, palliative care and bereavement services at the Hospice Home, at patient residences or in care facilities.
We are following all safety and health guidelines put out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on how to handle this concern within hospice organizations.
Should you or a loved one need palliative or hospice care, we continue to admit new patients during this time. If you or a family member have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of your hospice care team or me at 815.740.4104.
Visitors:
For the safety of all, we are limiting patients in the Hospice Home to two visitors in the building at one time. We have instituted CDC’s Travel Guidelines (Levels 2 & 3) screening for all visitors and staff entering the Hospice Home including a temperature check. Visitors are welcome at the in-patient unit provided they meet the criteria that limits risks to their loved ones and others.
Events:
As requested by Governor Pritzker, we are postponing all large events scheduled for March and April. This includes our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event which was scheduled for March 21, our Volunteer Appreciation Event scheduled for April 14 and Annual Dinner, scheduled for April 20. It is our top priority to keep our patients, families, staff and guests of our events safe. New dates have not yet been finalized for these events.
We will continue to monitor all situations and will update as needed. Please be healthy and safe.
Mary K. Sheehan, CEO
Lightways Grief Support Services
There is a paradox about grief. Even though it is universal, it can still cause feelings of isolation. Many of our grievers describe the moment after their loved one dies as the moment when “my world stopped, and the rest of the world kept moving.” It can be very disorienting, disruptive, and overwhelming for many. In a world where there is so much discomfort in talking about death and dying, some feel unsupported and unacknowledged in their grief. Lightways is dedicated to ensuring that no one must grieve alone.
Hospice vs. Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): Understanding the Key Differences
When faced with a chronic illness, patients and their families often encounter terms like hospice and serious illness care (palliative care). While both are forms of care focused on comfort and quality of life, they have distinct purposes, goals, and timing. In this blog, we will dive into the differences between hospice and palliative care to help you understand how each approach can support you or a loved one during a challenging time.
How Hospice and Palliative Care Can Help Patients with Cardiac Disease
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, affecting millions of individuals and their families. For patients living with severe heart disease, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life are paramount.